Yesterday's Architect · c. 1814–1904
Mary Ellen Pleasant
Formerly bonded servant who built a San Francisco business empire of boardinghouses, laundries, dairies, restaurants, real estate and investments, listing herself in the 1890 census as a 'capitalist by profession'. She financed Underground Railroad work, funded Black churches and schools, and sued over streetcar segregation in 1866.
Related architects
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- Elizabeth A. Gloucester
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- Wilson Ruffin Abbott
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- Clara Brown
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- Edith Cumbo
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- Henry Boyd
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- Isaiah T. Montgomery
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- Jacob Wilson Sey
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- Jordan C. Jackson Jr.
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- Sally Seymour
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- Stephen Smith and William Whipper
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People
- hosted by · 1830sPhebe Hussey Gardnertreated as extended family; lifelong friendshipBEJ profile
- husband · 1840sJames SmithBEJ profile
- second husband · 1848John James PleasantsBEJ profile
- business partner of · 1860sThomas Belljoint portfolio, much of it titled in Bell's nameBEJ profile
- daughterElizabeth (Lizzie) SmithBEJ profile
- worked forMary Husseybonded servant to the Hussey family; learned business behind the shop counterBEJ profile
Institutions and enterprises
- member ofUnderground Railroadconductor with James Smith; later aided migrants in CaliforniaBEJ profile
Places
- worked in · 1840sBostontailor's apprenticeBEJ profile
- worked in · c. 1852San Franciscoboardinghouses, laundries, dairies, restaurants, real estateBEJ profile
- worked in1661 Octavia Street mansionlived there and ran the Bell householdBEJ profile
- worked inNantucket, Massachusettsbonded servant; left around 1840BEJ profile
- held property inOakland, Californiahouses and lotsBEJ profile
- held property inSan Franciscohouses and lots, some leasedBEJ profile
- held property inSonoma County, Californiaranch later known as Beltane Ranch, developed with BellBEJ profile
Events
- lived through · 1866Pleasant's 1866 streetcar suitplaintiff after ejection from a streetcarBEJ profile
- lived throughBell estate litigationBell's family contested her claims; she lost much of her fortuneBEJ profile
Themes
- Financing freedomBEJ profile
- Food and hospitalityBEJ profile
- Politics and civil rightsBEJ profile · cites Nantucket Historical Association
Only relationships stated in a BEJ profile or a cited record are shown, each with its source.